Billings Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer Helping People Injured in Maintenance-Related Accidents

Trucks spend thousands of hours on the road every year and require much more maintenance than the average passenger vehicle. When trucking companies and drivers neglect to maintain their trucks, it can result in serious accidents, and it happens more often than you might think. To address this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was formed and charged with enforcing maintenance standards for the trucking industry. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident resulting from poor maintenance, a Billings tractor trailer accident lawyer can review your case and determine whether there was a violation of federal maintenance regulations.

Common Causes of Maintenance-Related Truck Accidents

Many things can go wrong with a large truck due to poor maintenance. However, some causes are more common than others. A Billings tractor-trailer accident lawyer can review your case and identify whether the driver or the trucking company was negligent in maintaining the truck.

Brake Failures

Brake failures are one of the most common causes of accidents and can result in catastrophic damage. These failures are often caused by one of the following factors:

Failure to replace worn parts
Installation of defective, used, or inadequate parts
Unworkmanlike or inadequate repairs
Parts incorrectly installed

Unsecured Loads/ Overloaded Trucks

There are also regulations in place that govern how much weight trucks can haul and how their loads must be secured. Overloading or failing to secure the load can cause the truck to become difficult to maneuver and stop. In turn, this can lead to an accident or make it difficult for the driver to avoid an accident.

Steering Failures

Steering failures are often the result of failing to regularly maintain the steering system or failing to take immediate action when problems become apparent. Any problem with the following components or elements of the steering system can quickly lead to an accident:

Power steering system
Hydraulics system
Pitman arm connectors
Lash and/or column
Pitman arm connectors
Ball joint/drag link

An experienced Billings tractor-trailer accident attorney will be able to determine whether negligent maintenance of the truck’s steering system caused your accident.

Tires

Worn tires are another common cause of tractor-trailer accidents. Worn-out tires can negatively affect a truck’s handling and ability to stop in time. Driving on worn-out tires can also lead to a blowout, which can lead to a serious accident. Failing to replace the tires in a timely fashion, failing to keep them properly inflated, and using used tires present obvious hazards to other motorists on the highway.

Tow-Hitch Problems

The tow-hitch is the part that connects the trailer to the truck. If the driver or the trucking company fails to maintain or routinely inspect this part, it can fail and lead to a serious accident. The following issues may be to blame for your accident:

Rusted components
Improper installation of components
Improper use of tow-hitch
Inadequate training regarding the proper use of the tow-hitch
Incorrect use of safety chains

If your accident resulted from a trailer malfunction, a Billings tractor-trailer accident lawyer will be able to identify the particular cause.

Contact a Billings Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney Today

Tractor-trailer accidents are often complex. At Ragain & Clark, we have decades of experience helping truck accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, call us today at 406-651-8888 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.